A Corporate turned Creative...

What's it really like to start over again at 42...

Hi Substack…I finally took the plunge and came over to the dark side. If this is a place where honesty and humour reign over polish and pose then I have high hopes for such a community. Turning from Corporate to Creative at 42 (9 years ago) mainly because I purchased a dog that I couldn't bare to leave has been an interesting leap. One that I want to explore and share more of on here.

I don't know if it will be a drawback that talking comes more naturally to me than writing but if I can work at documenting all those insights, ideas and observations (the ones that I would never have shared on insta!) throughout my working week then this could be a cathartic way to express the realities of life as a creative in my early 50's and the lessons I continue to learn (or not learn as the case may be).

I know there are so many of us out there that crave to do something different with our lives and many that already have, but it can be lonely. I question myself every day as to what makes me think I can do this and I am 9 years on from leaving my Corporate life. I would love to connect with there like-minded creatives.

Owning a bricks & mortar is not for the faint-hearted but it is addictive. I am a sucker for punishment and seem to enjoy all those imparted opinions, day in day out. My chaotic brain has meant that l've pivoted more times than a chameleon at the Wisley Winter light show...so expect out of depth, 'fly by the seat of my pants' dialogue as I work at being a shopkeeper, stylist, photographer, mum, bad friend and most importantly a dog owner.

You see, you are a sitting duck in a shop so no conversation seems off limits. It's an interiors shop surely we only discuss furniture, paint colours and floral arrangements. Fast forward to Saturday when I was asked by a tall guy with glasses (kind of irrelevant when you hear the second part) who was off his face and wanted to know if I sold lion skins. I informed him that we do not and have never sold lion skins. I am not sure who was more perplexed. As he left he said 'have a nice life'. I thanked him for visiting Wattle & Daub.

Those 27 years in my old life have lead up to the lion skins moment. Don't mess with me mate, I dealt with bankers in the 90's...

I am going to try my best to turn up consistently (as a minimum a weekly post on a Wednesday) and I really look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones on here. What's the worst that can happen, it becomes a helpful journal to express all the internal dialogue that plays out throughout the day wearing the many creative hats I wear.

I hope you’ll join me for this exploration (and the highs and lows) of me attempting to forge out this creative career in what right now does not feel like the prime of my life.

Gemma

---